Tigers, Citizens soar past rivals

Citizens claimed their second ‘big’ scalp in the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) while Tigers taught a newcomer a lesson in clinical football during Saturday’s action at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. In Walvis Bay, it was Blue Waters that took the bragging rights ahead of Eleven Arrows in the coastal derby while Black Africa are in familiar territory after beating Unam FC on Friday. These were some of the leading storylines during the fifth round of action in the NPL over the weekend. Black Africa’s 2-1 win over Unam handed the university side its first loss since joining the elite league following a swapping of status with Ramblers. Goals by Roger Katjiteo and Muna Katupose lead the ‘Lively Lions’ to take top spot while Unam dropped to second spot. Citizens, who won promotion after winning the Southern Stream First Division, caused quite the upset when they downed Civics 1-0 thanks to a second half goal by Osvaldo Vries. Mix-up Persistent play by Eduardo ‘Pelembe’ Eiseb had seen a mix-up in Civics’ defence with the player then laying the ball off to Vries to score the match’s only goal. The result clearly pleased Citizens’ coach, George Ochurub, whose team had also beat Orlando Pirates during round three. “I’m very much happy because we needed these three points and now we have them,” he said. Explaining their tactic, Ochurub said it was a well-calculated move. “We planned to play them on fifteen minute intervals; attack during one phase and then defend during the following one,” he said before adding that the team is eyeing finishing in the top five. “When you are at this level, it is no use saying that you are just going to maintain the position or just make up the numbers. So for us we want to go as high as possible and why not top five,” he said. Civics’ mentor, Christy Guruseb explained that his team was just too inconsistent on the day. “We were too erratic today... We did not rotate the ball enough and they benefitted from our mistakes,” he said. The coach faced one of his former players in Nico Narib, who traded the colours of Civics with those of Citizens and singled out the player for praise. “He was a force for them,” he said. Tigers took advantage from some lax defending from Rebels to score two first half headed goals by Letu Shatimuene. That set the tone for the rest of the match with ‘Ingweinyama’ adding two more goals through Absalom Iimbondi and Lucky Kooper for a comprehensive 4-0 win. The result left Rebels at the bottom of the log as they have collected just one point from five matches. Waters sink Arrows Blue Waters avenged a 5-4 defeat they suffered during last season’s derby when they handed Eleven Arrows a 3-0 loss in Kuisebmond on Saturday. Edom Dominic struck in the second minute for the first goal of the match. Paulus Job then added to the score when he pounced in the 13th minute for the second goal. Job had another attempt ruled offside in the 40th minute by referee Kefas Kahona. Arrows appeared more determined in the second half but solid defending from Hidinwa Festus, Johannes Mutanga, Immanuel Angolo and Abisai Shiningayamue denied them on numerous occasions. Dominic then scored his second goal when he drew Arrows’ goalkeeper Fanuel Meroro from his line, dribbled around him and made the score 3-0 in the 60th minute. The score line could have been much more embarrassing for Arrows but Meroro pulled off some stunning saves and denied Gregory Aukumeb (77th minute) and substitute Matheus Halua (85th minute). Full NPL round 5 results African Stars 2-0 Tura Magic Black Africa 2-1 Unam Blue Waters 3-0 Eleven Arrows Julinho Sporting 0-1 United Stars Touch & Go 2-2 Benfica Citizens 1-0 Civics Tigers 4-0 Rebels Orlando Pirates 1-0 Mighty Gunners WALVISBAY &WINDHOEK- OTIS FINCK & HECTOR MAWONGA